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Guarding the Crease (The Playmakers Series Hockey Romances Book 9) by G.K. Brady – Review by Kristan Anderson

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Guarding the Crease (The Playmakers #9)Guarding the Crease by G.K. Brady
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Guarding the Crease is part of The Playmaker Series by G.K. Brady. I’ve enjoyed other playmakers books so I was excited for another. But this book can be easily read as a stand alone. Wyatt is honestly…. Terrible, a jerk, not someone you think you’ll like. It’s pretty known he uses who he is to his advantage. Serena is in PR for one of the high ranking hockey teams. And she just so happens to meet the one who is Wyatt on a night out. Though they are clearly attracted to one another, Serena isn’t so sure she can help his image, plus just because it’s her job, why should she want to? Except she owes him. And now it’s going to get messy. I enjoyed these two characters. The redemption was there and the chemistry between them was evident. Things could have moved a bit faster but overall I liked the book and hope there’s more!

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Ten Little Starfish by Kim Ann – Review by Kristan Anderson

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Ten Little Starfish: A Counting BookTen Little Starfish: A Counting Book by Kim Ann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ten Little Starfish is a counting book written by Kim Ann. My daughter loves the beach so this was perfect for her. It kept her attention well and she said she likes the pictures. She liked counting the starfish on each page. I loved that there were a few starfish facts after the story and a few games too. It kept my little reader interested in the story and made it easier for her to want to read it again. I’m always a fan of stories where we can learn without trying too hard! I’d love to share more stories by this author with my kids!

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Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Kristan Anderson

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Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines (Science Folktales #3)Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines is one of the many scientific adaptations that Lois Wickstrom has done. This takes Goldilocks and the three bears and changes it so there is a little more to learn in it. I read this book to my three year old. It was a little too scientific for her. She didn’t understand what was going on with the new lines In the book either. I however thought it was great. I liked that everything was left better than it was found. But my favorite was the explanations of the six simple machines. It is always a great opportunity to talk with my kiddo about science in a way she can understand, even if she doesn’t truly comprehend it. Loved this story! Always a fan of this author.

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Cruel Start (Hidden Valley Elite) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Kristan Anderson

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Cruel Start (Hidden Valley Elite #4.5)Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cruel Start is part of Isla Vaughns Hidden Valley Elite series. Let me tell you what is cruel… me not realizing this was a prequel novella! As I finished I was internally screaming NOOOO that’s it?! It was, over too soon. Really though, I should have known better. However, this is just the prequel for the two part story of Aspen and Phoenix. When one moment of passion turns their worlds upside down, the pair need to figure out how to deal with the impending future. I am so excited to see where this couple goes and what happens between them. I’m also excited to hopefully catch some glimpses of our previous characters.

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Brutal Nights (Hidden Valley Elite Book 4) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Kristan Anderson

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Brutal Nights (Hidden Valley Elite #4)Brutal Nights by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Brutal nights is book four in Isla Vaughns Hidden Valley Elite series. This story is part two for Sky and Damon. And let me tell you I am allllll about this couple. This story has some crazy ups and downs. There was so much going on but it was so well written and felt like it flowed perfectly. I am so invested in this series. This is it, the worst thing that could happen for Sky and her mom. So much for the easy Senior year she hoped for, she’s pretty much lost everything. But Damon is determined to keep her safe. Even if it means admitting his feelings. Scary. I loved the ending, it truly brought everything together and satisfied all my questions. I cannot wait to start the next book.

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Brutal Days (Hidden Valley Elite Book 3) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Kristan Anderson

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Brutal Days (Hidden Valley Elite #3)Brutal Days by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Brutal Days is book three in Isla Vaughns Hidden Valley Elite series. Oooooo man this is messy. And I couldn’t stop reading it. Gia was bleh and I just wanted to smack some sense into her. But I can definitely remember some girls that were just like her in high school. I was obsessed with the chemistry between Sky and Damon, the sneaking around was hot and the slowly falling for each other even though they deny it… but Sky did her friend dirty and that I didn’t care for. Damon is kind of a jerk and by kind of I mean really he is. BUT THAT ENDING. While I definitely called it, it was still a way to end it. Alright girl, I’m hooked, let’s go.

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Grand Slam (Ground Rule Book 3) by Bree Kraemer – Review by Kristan Anderson

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Grand Slam (Ground Rule Book 3)Grand Slam by Bree Kraemer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Grand Slam by Bree Kraemer is Ground Rule
Book three. This series can each be read as a stand-alone but honestly I LOVED being able to read about the other couples and anticipate each story! Grace has been working at the animal shelter, though not completely lucrative, something she absolutely loved. Heath is a hot baseball player that Grace simply can’t stand. Or can she? After meeting him weeks ago in a celebrity charity auction for the city’s animals shelters, she wants nothing to do with him. But Heath has other plans when he inserts himself into her life and doesn’t give her an option to run. I absolutely love Bree’s style. The characters are so lovable and easily relatable. I enjoyed watching Heath break Grace down but by bit. The connection between the characters is evident but Grace is refusing to believe she can have anything good. Do yourself a favor and read this amazing series.

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Sacrifice Bunt (Ground Rule Book 2) by Bree Kraemer – Review by Kristan Anderson

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Sacrifice Bunt (Ground Rule Book 2)Sacrifice Bunt by Bree Kraemer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sacrifice Bunt by Bree Kraemer is Ground Rule
Book two. Ahhh I was so excited for Zara’s story! She is the rough around the edges friend and one who hasn’t been in love, ever. Very career focused, and darn good at what she does in the sports world, she doesn’t date athletes anyway and especially not ones named Noah. Noah saved a beautiful woman’s life one day years ago and hasn’t been the same since. Being the poster boy baseball player, he’s never in trouble, never seen with a woman and never on a scandal. Mainly because there’s only one girl he wants. Hint: it’s Zara, from the fire. I loved these two. I loved Zara and how real she felt. Their chemistry was amazing and let me tell you this book was spiiiicy. I loved everything about these two. I am excited to read the next book!

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Someone to Watch Over Me (Wounded Hearts Series Book 3) by Debbie Cromack – Review by Kristan Anderson

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Someone to Watch Over Me (Wounded Hearts, #3)Someone to Watch Over Me by Debbie Cromack
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Someone To Watch Over Me by Debbie Cromack is book three in her Wounded Hearts series. Lucia and Angelo have been best friends since Angelo was two years old and Lucia was born. Although with them being so close they pretend to only see one another as “siblings” rather than romantically… except they are both bad liars. Phewwww, I don’t know what it is about Debbie and her stories but I am living for them. They are SO good and so raw. I love how relatable they are even if I don’t fully relate to everything. She’s just that good. The connection between Angelo and Lucia was palpable, I could feeeeeeel it in every interaction. The lust, the longing, the love, can she write for my life lol! The story itself is a stand alone though the first two books have characters that you’ll see in here and I LOVED it. It truly tied together so well. The slow burn for these two was exactly what they needed. I cannot sing enough praises for Debbie!

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Walk Off (Ground Rule Book 1) by Bree Kraemer – Review by Kristan Anderson

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Walk OffWalk Off by Bree Kraemer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Walk Off by Bree Kraemer is book one in the Ground Rules series. Celia and Kyle dated years ago and spent nearly a decade trying to get over the other. That never happened. After meeting again, Celia decided she should probably come clean to Kyle about some major secrets she kept and lies she told. Will he forgive her? Can they happily ever after. I found this story to be cute albeit predictable. It was an easy, fast read and an overall good story. There were times where I felt like their characters were annoying but that could go many ways (meaning she makes them relatable or that the character was just whiny). I am definitely interested in the rest of this series!

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Lap Baby by Amy Q. Barker – Review by Kristan Anderson

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Lap Baby: Emotional Women's FictionLap Baby: Emotional Women’s Fiction by Amy Q. Barker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lap Baby by Amy Barker was an emotion read. This is the first story that I have read by this author. I admit it did take me a few chapters to really get into the story but I am happy that I stuck with it. The story itself was loosely based on a true story. Experiencing the story from each perspective was enjoyable. It was easy to follow and see how they were intertwined even so many years later. I enjoyed seeing how it had changed each of their lives and how they were handling it through the years. Unfortunately many of the ways of handling the experience were quite negative. Julie fought so hard for change after following orders and losing lives. The story really resonated with me as I have two young kids so I was able to empathize with each of the characters differently.

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Huff… Puff… Grind! (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Kristan Anderson

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Huff... Puff... Grind! The 3 Little Pigs Get SmartHuff… Puff… Grind! The 3 Little Pigs Get Smart by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Huff, Puff, Grind! The Three Little Pigs Get Smart by Lois Wickstrom is the authors scientific and creative take on the classic Three Little Pigs. The author has smartened up these little pigs and sent them off to architecture school. Thanks to their education, each pig is able to buy a house to withstand the big bad wolf. They are also able to devise a plan to work with the wolf as neighbors and so each of them gets something from the working relationship. It is always interesting to see where this author takes these classics! I also really loved the illustrations and how different words were emphasized. It made the story more fun.

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What Do the Plants Say? (Alex, the Inventor) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Kristan Anderson

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What Do the Plants Say? (Alex, the Inventor)What Do the Plants Say? by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What Do The Plants Say? By Lois Wickstrom is a cute story about Alex the inventor. Alex believes that the plants are talking to her so she invents a translator. She then talks to the plants and find out that they want to fly. The story is completely adorable and shows how young children can be so creative. Many of the stories I’ve read by this author are scientific related and while this was not, it is still important to allow children to be creative. I would say this is more for ages 5+, I typically read these to my 2.5 year old but she didn’t really understand the imagination just yet, she did try talking to her plants through!

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Fee, Fi, Fo, Grow! (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Kristan Anderson

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Fee, Fi, Fo, Grow! The Real Magic of the Beans (Science Folktales)Fee, Fi, Fo, Grow! The Real Magic of the Beans by Lois J Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fee, Fi, Fo, Grow: The Real Magic of Beans by Lois Wickstrom was a very cute adaptation of Jack and the Beanstalk. I love reading these adaptations because they each have a little bit of science in them that is easy to explain to my 2.5 year old. My daughter loved this story. We talked about beans and how they grow. How we can plant seeds to grow more plants/beans and so on. I think it’s important to talk to our kids about this so I’m very glad that Lois has taken some old favorites and added in just enough for young minds!

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Hero Complex (Bluestone Series Book 3) by Isobel Reed – Review by Kristan Anderson

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Hero Complex (Bluestone Series, #3)Hero Complex by Isobel Reed
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hero Complex by Isabel Reed is book three in her Bluestone series. Ugh remember wanting to just be in a fake relationship with someone because even if it wasn’t real they were still yours? That is exactly what happened with Ivy and Ace… except it certainly became quite real. This story was fun and funny all in one. Ivy was desperately in need of a way to save her ranch and Ace was the perfect person to step up to the plate. Mainly because he’s a man… because men seem to think women are incapable of being business owners, the nerve. I really like Isobel’s style, all three stories in this series have been quick reads but in a good way. I love how her characters have a great connection and how smooth the story reads. Plus who doesn’t love a Marine turned ranch hand turned hot fiancé! I mean come on! I also think Ivy may have been my favorite because she babbles a lot and let’s be honest I totally saw myself in her!

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Love Tools (Bluestone Series Book 1) by Isobel Reed – Review by Kristan Anderson

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Love Tools (Bluestone Series, #1)Love Tools by Isobel Reed
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Love Tools by Isabel Reed is book one in her Bluestone series. This book was a fast small town enemy to lover book. Lily inherits her fathers hardware store and quickly decided this is just the distraction and get away she needs. She picks up and moves away from her mediocre life from London. After pushing every button she has, Jake tries everything he can think of to get her to like him. He was a friend of her fathers, and even if he gets on her every nerve, she just can’t resist that cowboy. The interactions between the pair are super cute. The story itself was a little predictable but there were a few surprises the author threw in. Looking forward to book two!

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Reaper (War Brothers MC Book 1) by Bianca Lee Ward – Review by Kristan Anderson

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Reaper (War Brothers MC, #1)Reaper by Bianca Lee Ward
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Reaper is book one in the War Brothers MC series by Bianca Lee Ward. This book was really good and captivating from the start. I found myself on edge more often than not. Although it was considered a slow burn romance wise, SO MUCH happened throughout this book. I loved getting to know the men in the MC. Each of their personalities shown without overpowering the main characters. Ava is so incredibly strong even though she thinks she’s weak. The bravery she exemplifies and how she loves to take care of people who are important to her is amazing. Reaper is your typical biker, but I loved also seeing his soft side. The chemistry between the pair is so strong from the start. I loved it. I cannot wait to read book two when it comes out! Especially since it’s about the elusive member of the club!

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White Picket Fences by Kyle Ann Robertson – Review by Kristan Anderson

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White Picket FencesWhite Picket Fences by Kyle Ann Robertson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

White Picket Fences by Kyle Ann Robertson was a good story. Sometimes as a mom we lose ourselves along the way. Wanting only the best for our children and always putting them first. But we still matter. This story reminds us that it’s okay to find ourselves again. Grief is difficult and can definitely open your eyes or close them to what’s going on around you. I definitely connected to Julie and truly appreciate how Kyle wrote the story. Being able to feel oneself in a character makes the story that much better. I enjoyed the book and thought it was a wonder debut for this author.

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Euphoric Wonderland by Ryan M. Becker – Review by Kristan Anderson

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Euphoric Wonderland: An Eclectic Collection of Psychedelic Poetry to Stimulate the Senses and Open the MindEuphoric Wonderland: An Eclectic Collection of Psychedelic Poetry to Stimulate the Senses and Open the Mind by Ryan M. Becker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Euphoric Wonderland by Ryan M. Becker is a collection of poetry. This collections takes the reader on a journey through their senses and allows them to experience each poem differently from someone else. Making it a truly individualized experience. I have to say I loved the artwork. It was nice to not feel like I was reading some ordinary book. Each page was colorful and aesthetically pleasing. Each poem was beautifully written and I like the lyrical feel as well as the rhyming nature. Although some I found a little more confusing than others, but I did read them a couple times. There’s also a lot of words I looked up and that helped me as well.
Overall I really enjoyed this collection.

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I’ll Love You Tomorrow (Trading Heartbeats Trilogy Book 3) by Julie Navickas – Review by Kristan Anderson

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I'll Love You Tomorrow (The Trading Heartbeats Trilogy, Book #3)I’ll Love You Tomorrow by Julie Navickas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’ll Love You Tomorrow is book three in the Trading Hearts trilogy by Julie Navickas. I have enjoyed this trilogy and this book was probably the best. Though I really loved Austin’s story! Mitch and Lauren have been together since they were in school. They have been married for 7 years and it seems as though their whole marriage is over. They do decide (with the help of their siblings) to give it one last chance. Are things really done for good? Or will they be able to rekindle their relationship. If you’ve read the first two books this is a good ending. Though there is a particular someone who no one likes that Id be interested in getting their own story just so they’d leave the Templeton family alone! But that’s for another book I hear!

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The Silent Road by S.N. McKibben – Review by Kristan Anderson

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The Silent RoadThe Silent Road by S.N. McKibben
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Silent Road by S.N. McKibben was a different type of story than I would usually read. It was my first by this author and I really enjoyed it. Dan has screwed up a lot in his life and he is trying to make it better. As a long haul trucker, he has always enjoyed the road. That is until another screwup forces a codriver on him. Jake has a secret that Dan has found out about. And since he found out, he’s realized that he’s a lot more curious than he would like. I found that I read this book rather quickly. It felt a little dry at first but because you’re reading from Dans perspective, it came off as his personality. This was quite the emotional journey for the characters, I’d recommend it to others with an open mind.

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Just One Time (Beaumont Creek Book 1) by Samantha Baca – Review by Kristan Anderson

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Just One Time (Beaumont Creek, #1)Just One Time by Samantha Baca
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just One Time by Samantha Baca was pretty much everything that you would want in a best friend romance story. Nate and Abby have been friends forever. They never really gave it a thought when it came to coupling up. But when Abby decided she wanted nothing more than to be a mom, Nate stepped up without so much as blinking. Will the pair be able to do this or will things get messy? The chemistry between nate and Abby was so strong you could feel it. They were hilarious together and I found myself laughing out loud. I really enjoyed this book and I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.

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Chicken Little Investigates (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Kristan Anderson

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Chicken Little investigatesChicken Little investigates by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Chicken Little Investigates is a cute children’s story by Lois Wickstrom and illustrated by Francie Mion. My daughter thought this book was funny and she learned something too. She is 2.5 and she asked a lot of questions and it opened up talk of gravity and the different sounds that things make when they fall. She also loved the pictures and the part with the Fox (her words!) Overall it was a cute, short read. I liked that it was something familiar with something new. It was engaging enough that my daughter paid attention!

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Ruthless Hawke (The Hawke Family Second Generation Book 1) by Gwyn McNamee – Review by Kristan Anderson

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  1. Ruthless Hawke (The Hawke Family Second Generation Book 1)Ruthless Hawke by Gwyn McNamee
    My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ruthless Hawke is book one in Gwen McNamee’s The Hawke Family Second Generation series. While there is a series before, it’s not necessary to read to understand; I , however, personally enjoyed knowing what happened previously, having background on the amount of family (because it’s a lot) and how the characters compared. If any family has been to enough, it would definitely be the Hawke family. Love, death, fires, clubs, fights, so much more and so much in between. Isaac is met with a blast from the past with a little blue eyed secret. The story itself was great and I love the authors style. However I was not a huge fan of the name “Jack” for Isaac’s counterpart. It just made it a little confusing but it’s fine. I do love the chemistry and read this quickly as I needed to know how it would end. I know this series is going to be good like the first, if not better!

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His Forever Muse (The Echo Series Book 2) by C.R. Alam – Review by Kristan Anderson

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His Forever Muse (Book 2 of The Echo Series)His Forever Muse by C.R. Alam
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

His Forever Muse is book two in CR Alam’s The Echo Series. I fell for Brandon in book one. The romantic famous best friend. He just wants his happily ever after and he truly deserves it. Callie has had a hard time letting go from a hard past. There was a lot of character growth in this story from Callie. I enjoyed the second chance storyline between these two. It felt like any fantasy where you want to fall for the lead of your favorite band. I’m happy that Brandon got his story and that it was just what he needed. Very steamy spicy scenes. I feel like book two was much better than book one – though that is strictly personal preference.

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The Exchange by Nadija Mujagic – Review by Kristan Anderson

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The Exchange: A NovelThe Exchange: A Novel by Nadija Mujagic
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow I was definitely not expecting to finish this story so quickly. However once I started I couldn’t put it down and needed to finish to find out what happened! The Exchange by Nadija Mujagic was a short and fast read. Sam is a recent high school grad who aspires to be an actress. And as any young aspiring actress does, she moves to LA to live out these huge dreams. Once there, she finds out just how hard the industry is and how you can’t trust just anyone. After finding out some hard truths, shes faces with a decision that will change the course of her life forever. It’s a good read if you’re looking for something that you can’t completely guess what will happen.

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Echoing Hearts (The Echo Series Book 1) by C.R. Alam – Review by Kristan Anderson

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Echoing Hearts (Book 1 of The Echo Series)Echoing Hearts by C.R. Alam
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Echoing Hearts is book one in CR Alam’s The Echo Series. Dean and Rae were quite the interesting pair. Though they were both stubborn, they were also scared and just wanted to be loved – even if they didn’t seem as if they did. Though Dean felt dry in a romance novel aspect, he felt real, like someone I would or could know. Rae was the sunshine in your cloudy day and always the positive one. I loved that about her character. I felt as though I truly got to know the couple as individuals. It made the story that much better. I am looking forward to the next book in the series!

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True Colors (Landry’s True Colors Series Book One) by Krysten Lindsay Hager – Review by Kristan Anderson

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True Colors (Landry's True Colors #1)True Colors by Krysten Lindsay Hager
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

True Colors by Krysten Lindsay Hager is book one in the Landry True Colors series. This was a fast and easy read, totally clean as well. As a whole the book was good. As an adult reading I found it a little boring at times because it was middle school so it’s nothing like I usually read. However, thinking like a teenager, it felt like I was in middle school all over again! It made me feel like I was there and thinking as if I were a preteen again. So much friend drama, was it really like that?! (Yes, yes it was.) the story is about Landry and how she loses her best friends. Between trying to navigate life and figuring out who she is, she just wants to make it through school. Definitely a book I’d let my preteen read.

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Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite Prequel) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Kristan Anderson

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Savage Start: A High School Bully Romance: Hidden Valley Elite PrequelSavage Start: A High School Bully Romance: Hidden Valley Elite Prequel by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Savage Start is the prequel to Isla Vaughn’s Hidden Valley Elite series. I have to say I really should have paid attention because just when stuff really got me hooked, it ended. It was short, a very fast read that leaves you curious about the teens at this school. I will say I have a lot of questions which I’m sure is the point but a lot of them stem from Riley. I am extremely interested in reading the rest of the series as I’d like to know what happens to this pair as well as some of the other popular and not so popular kids in this story. I do think this laid some decent ground work for the series but felt that there were some things that could have been either explained better or omitted altogether.

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Night Hawke (The Hawke Family Second Generation Prequel) by Gwyn McNamee – Review by Kristan Anderson

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Night Hawke (The Hawke Family Second Generation #0.5)Night Hawke by Gwyn McNamee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Night Hawke by Gwen McNamee is the second generation Hawke Family Prequel. Though it’s a prequel, reading the first series isn’t truly necessary. This is a very short, very spicy story that starts off with Isaac celebrating. There’s not really any background as Isaac and his redheaded weekend companion do other things besides talking. So many other things! The pair agree to one night but it turns into the weekend. She was perfect, everything he wants. By the time he realizes he needs and wants more time with her she’s gone. The chemistry was palpable and I was shocked at how this hooked me in. I cannot wait to read this series. If it’s anything like the first generation, it’s going to be amazing.

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